Religious Studies, Bachelor 2 subject

  • How do religious texts originate?
  • Is religion becoming less and less important in the modern age?
  • Which role does religion play in the migration process?
  • Are some religions really more dangerous than others?
  • What is religion actually?
Anna Kira Hippert

To me, it’s been important to study contemporary religious matters and forms – and Religious Studies meets these requirements fully.

– Anna Kira Hippert, Bachelor's degree

Profile

Degree
Bachelor of Arts
Start
Winter- and summer semester
Duration
6 semesters
Classroom language
German
Admission
Not restricted

2-Subject Bachelor Programme

This degree programme requires a second subject for which advanced knowledge of German language is mandatory.
Information on enrollment/application for German applicants

Information on enrollment/application for German applicants

Application information for international applicants

Application information for international applicants

What's it all about?
This degree programme is unique, because ...
in Bochum, Religious Studies collaborates closely with numerous other social and cultural-studies disciplines, thus giving students the opportunity of studying diverse religious traditions in-depth, whilst integrating multi-faceted theoretical and systematic perspectives. In addition, it is possible to combine this RUB subject with the B.A. "Musikwissenschaft" at the Folkwang University of Arts in Essen across locations.
It provides the opportunity to specialise in the following fields ...
  • History of early Oriental and ancient religions
  • History of Jewish religions
  • History of Christian religions
  • History of Islamic religions
  • History of Indian religion and religions originated in India
  • History of East-Asian religions
  • Source languages and methods of religious research relevant in terms of religious studies
  • History of Central Asian religions
  • History of Iranian religions
Who is suited?
Those who wish to enrol in this degree programme,
Have:
  • an interest in historical contexts as well as current developments, excellent reading competencies and the willingness to engage into a neutral discourse of religion
Enjoy:
  • dealing with other cultures, learning old and new languages, conducting a discourse of actual religious and social issues and discussing theoretical concepts and models
Struggle through:
  • texts, texts, texts (including dry texts, English-language literature and old sources), learning a source language (such as Greek, Arabic or Sanskrit), seminar papers, term papers, and personal preconceptions about religion
Graduates from this degree programme frequently work
  • as political consultants
  • in education
  • in libraries, museums and archives
  • in the media and PR industry
  • in the field of development aid
And else?
An internship ...

is optional. It is done during the degree course.
Duration: 6 weeks

Studying abroad ... is recommended. It is done from the 4th or 5th semester.
Duration: 1 semester
Where do I find help?
Academic advisory office

Religionswissenschaft, Studienberatungskommission
Email:
Website academic advisory office

Contact students

Fachschaft Religionswissenschaft
Building, Room: Universitätsstraße 90a, Raum 0.10
Phone: +49 (0)234 / 32-26490
Email:
Website Fachschaft

Other degree programs in the subject

Anna Kira Hippert
Anna Kira Hippert is a third-year student of Religious Studies. She is pursuing the Bachelor of Arts degree, 2-subject programme. Anna Kira’s other discipline is Art History.

What made you choose this degree programme?

I’ve always been interested in religions, but not from a theological perspective. The Religious Studies degree programme provides the option to study religions objectively.

In which respect have or haven’t your expectations been fulfilled?

To me, it’s been important to study contemporary religious matters and forms – and Religious Studies meets these requirements fully.

Which aspect of your degree programme do you enjoy most?

Studying new religious currents. Moreover, religious studies is a very interdisciplinary programme, i.e. you also attend history, social sciences and theology classes, to name but a few.

What has been your biggest challenge to date?

You’ve got to be aware that, if you want to complete the master’s degree in religious studies, you will have to learn a religion-relevant foreign language. For me, that language is Arabic, as I want to specialise in Islamic Studies in my Master’s degree. I attend Arabic classes in the Department of Oriental Studies, and they are often very difficult. So, I would consider Arabic my biggest challenge.

What would you like to become after completing your degree?

I would like to work in politics or in corporate consultancy. But I can also imagine remaining in academia. 

Which advice would you like to give to students who consider enrolling in this degree programme?

You should read up in advance which foreign languages will be eligible for you. I would also recommend attending more classes in the first semester than required. Thus, you will find your curriculum in later semester easier to handle, especially if you’ve got to catch up on your Arabic proficiency certificate or the Latin proficiency certificate.